Where can I metal Detect in Arkansas? I’m asked that question weekly, and the answer is simple really; it depends on your local laws and ordinances concerning metal detecting in public places.

Assuming that you have already done your homework and know that metal detecting is allowed in your town, here is a list of Five places that you can metal detect in just about every city.

1. Parks and Playgrounds

Parks and playgrounds are great places to find lost jewelry and coins. Baseball diamonds and soccer fields can also be productive areas to find lost items.  Pendants and rings can be lost when players are running around and jumping during a game.  Areas where spectators sit and watch games can also be good places to metal detect.

2. Woods Hunting

Paths through the woods can lead you to house foundations and cellar holes that hold relics and coins from the past. Using aerial maps, you can get a birds-eye view of wooded areas in your town. Hiking trails, deer trails, ancient trails and old foot paths can be seen more easily from above. With a little bit of research you can put yourself on some long forgotten homesteads.

3. Fresh Water Beaches

Arkansas only has fresh water beaches, but Metal Detecting on local and popular beaches can be very rewarding with the possibility of finding jewelry, watches, ear rings, coins, and other lost items. Metal Detect in areas where people sit on the bank, as well as in the water if your metal detector is waterproof.

4. Farm Fields

Old farms and in particular the surrounding fields can some times give up old coins in areas that you wouldn’t think old coins could be found. Some towns from early settlers are long gone now, but at one time stood in the middle of what is now a corn or tobacco field. Metal detecting in fields after a rain can increase your odds of finding deeper targets. Don’t underestimate the potential for some great finds hidden in the middle of a field.

5. Creeks, Lakes, Rivers

River and creek banks where old “Picnic Groves” or Ferry launches were located can be amazing spots for early coins and jewelry. The “picnic areas” were used while waiting for the ferry to arrive or depart and early settlers would sit along the river banks and have a drink or lunch and items were surely lost. A confluence, or meeting of two bodies of water was a likely place for a ferry launch or stop. Towns were set up along these confluences for commerce reasons, so these long forgotten spots can be rewarding for the knowing metal detectorist.

Doing research and gaining knowledge are as important as the rest of the hobby of metal detecting. More often than not we’re going to find our best finds where no one else has looked so be sure to think outside of the box sometimes.

The truth is, anywhere that people frequent or have been in the past has potential for you to find lost items.

Always seek permission to metal detect on private property in Arkansas, and Any state that you metal detect in.

Happy Hunting Everyone! Thanks for Reading.